Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-12-22
STEPHEN GIRARD.
His Ruling Motive in the Formation Of
the College which Bears His Name
The Undelivered Portion Of General
ROberts'S Lecture.

The Undelivered Portion Of General
Roberts's Lecture.
When he delivered his lecture in
the courthouse, last Tuesday evening,
General Roberts stated that the late
ness of the hour 1t was scarcely 8
O'Clock, but the lecturer unnecessarily
feared to weary his audience.--ED.1
compelled him to forbear reading a
portion of his manuscript. This state
ment caused subGued but quite
general expression of disappointment
in the audience, which, being noticed
by this reporter, led him to request
the loan Of the unread manuscript for
perusal. And inasmuch as he was
greatly entertained thereby and as
the lecture was originally intended for
the public, he has no hesitancy in per-
hitting his readers to share in his en-.
joyment.
The ruling motive of the founder in
the formation of Girard College is
reflected from his own life and char
acter, which discarding all that which
is frivolous and unproductive, cult
waited only that which is fruited with
real blessings to the human family
He agreed with Bacon who declared
his object to be "The enlargement of
the bounds of human empire to the
effecting of all things possible, the
augmentation by means of learning
of the sum of human happiness, and
the alienation of human suffering"
And this reference of intellectual
culture to practical and beneficial
results doubtless induced the exclu-
sion of the dead languages from the
course of study. His views upon the
subject are indicated by one of the
learned fathers of the English Church,
DR.. Fuller, who says: "'Tis a silly
conceit that men without languages
are also without understanding. 1t
is apparent in all ages that some such
have been prodlgies for ability; for it
is not to be believed that wisdom
speaks to her disciples only in Latin,
Greek and Hebrew"
But the chiefest of the virtues was
to the mind,of Girard we'll directed
industry, and the main object of his
life and legacy was to inform, stimu-
late and sustain such industry among
the feebler and too often forgotten
orphans of a crowded and crushing
world.
There is one provision of Girard's
will which has been the subject OF
bitter and acrimonious diatribe on the
part of the clergy.
End. 81 enjoln and require that nc
ecclesiastic, missionary or minister Of
any sect whatsoever shalt ever hold
or exercise any station or duty what
ever in the said college; nor shall any
such person ever be admitted for any
purpose or as a visitor within the
premises appropriated to the purposes
of the said college," So much for
the institution. Now for the reason in
his own language:
"In making this restriction | do not
mean to cast any reflection upon any
sect or person whatsoever; but there
is such a multitude of sects and such
a diversity of opinion amongst them,
| desire to keep the tender minds OIL
the orphans, who are to derive advant'
age from this bequest, free from the
excitement which clashing doctrines
and sectarian controversy are so apt
to produce. My desire is that all the
instructors and teachers shall take
pains to instil into the MINDS of the
scholars the PUREsT PRINCIPLES oil
MORALITY, SO that on their entrance
into active life they may from INcLI
NATION and HABIT evince BENEvO.
LENCE TOWARDS their fellow creatures
AND LOVE OF TRUTH, soBRIETY AMI
INDUSTRY, adopting at the same time
such religious merits as their matureo
reason may enable them to prefer"
AS will be remembered, the Will o.
Girard was attempted to be broken
by Vidal ct al, and the case wa.
argued by Daniel Webster and other
distinguished counsel for the com
plainants and appellants, and BY
Horace Binney and John Sergeant
Esq, for the Mayor etc. of Philadel
phia, the executors, etc, in the Su
preme Court, U. s., in 1874. Say
Mr.. Justice Story:
"But the objection itself assumes
the proposition that Christianity is no
to be taught because ecclesiastics ART
not to be instructors or officers. Blu
this is by no means a necessary o
legitimate inference from the prem
ises. Why may not laymen instruc
in the general principles of Christi
anity as we'll as ecclesiastics?
There is no restriction as to tn
religious opinions Of the instructor
and officers. They may be ant
doubtless, under the auspices Of tn
city government, they will Away